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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Peter and Hortensia stay in touch for many years?

2. Who does Hortensia contact at the beginning of Chapter Eighteen?

3. Why is it unusual that Marion is attracted to Frikkie?

4. What did Marion’s parents initially want her to pursue?

5. What does Marion suggest is the reason Hortensia could never become pregnant?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the photograph that covers the stain in Hortensia’s room symbolize?

2. Why does Hortensia mock Marion’s attraction to Frikkie?

3. What does Agnes reveal about the painting?

4. Why does Hortensia say she does not want to “absolve” Marion?

5. How does Agnes ultimately feel about Marion?

6. Why did Hortensia never confront Peter about the affair?

7. Why did Hortensia and Peter’s relationship receive criticism?

8. How does architecture tie into Marion’s racism?

9. How does Marion feel to be staying in No. 10 Katterijn Avenue?

10. How do Hortensia and Marion’s perspectives on housekeepers differ?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the origins of Marion and Hortensia’s feud? Point to examples from the novel that indicate how their mutual loathing developed and why it became so fierce.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Hortensia and Marion’s respective treatment and perception of their housekeepers, Bassey and Agnes.

Essay Topic 3

How do the flashback scenes serve the overall narrative of the novel? What information do we learn from these scenes?

(see the answer keys)

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